Mechanical surface finishing apparatus for textile fabric

ABSTRACT

A process is provided for mechanically surface-finishing a textile fabric which comprises continuously feeding said fabric from a source of supply, such that said fabric lies in a single plane, subjecting successive adjacent sections of the fabric to intermittent mechanical impact with an abrasive means across the width of said fabric thereby avoiding substantial sustained contact between the fabric and the abrasive means, the mechanical impact being at a force and frequency sufficient to cause a substantially uniform modification of the surface characteristics of the fabric. Textile fabrics with modified surface which may be made by the above process are also provided. Apparatus for mechanically surface-finishing a textile fabric according to the aforedescribed process is further provided.

This is a division of application Ser. No. 282,446, filed July 13, 1981,now U.S. Pat. No. 4,468,844, which in turn is a continuation-in-part ofapplication Ser. No. 92,815 filed Nov. 9, 1979, now U.S. Pat. No.4,316,928.

The present invention relates to a process and apparatus for surfacefinishing fabrics by mechanical means to provide a fabric product havingimproved surface softness and a desirable fabric hand. The presentinvention also relates to a textile fabric with modified surface whichmay be made by the process.

It is generally known that fabrics may be mechanically face-finished toprovide various effects on the fabric, such as a soft surface feel, togenerate cover, or even to give fabrics made from filament yarns aspun-like hand. These mechanical face-finishing techniques includenapping and sanding techniques, the particular technique employed aswell as operating parameters selected being determined by the desiredeffect as well as by the nature of the fabric to be finished. Sanding oftextile fabrics, also variously referred to in the art as buffing oremerizing, is generally accomplished according to known methods bypassing the fabric over rapidly-rotating cylinders covered with anabrasive, e.g., sanding paper of a suitable degree of fineness orcoarseness. The sanding grains which come into contact with the fabricsurface for a period of time, depending upon operating conditions,abrade the surface fibers of the fabric and raise a cover which isgenerally shorter than that which is obtainable by napping.

In sanding type of face finishing operations, it is also known that thetextile fabric may be forced onto the abrading surface by eithertensioning or by setting a predetermined gap somewhat less than thefabric thickness between the abrading surface and a backing device.Frequently, the fabric surface obtained by such mechanical finishingtechniques must be sheared after sanding or other treatment to provide aproduct having the desired uniformity of the nap or pile height.

It has been found generally with regard to fabrics treated using knownmechanical surface finishing techniques that frequently a considerableamount of fabric strength may be lost especially if a significantalteration of the appearance or hand of the fabric is sought. Also,where it is desired to surface finish very rigid fabrics such as wovenpolyester-cotton fabrics or woven all-polyester fabrics, the result,particularly after sanding, may be a streaked surface resulting at leastin part from tight warp ends in the fabric. These tight warp ends are,furthermore, difficult to avoid in the fabric as a practical matter.Moreover, on many fabrics it is difficult to obtain a dense and uniformmodification of the fabric surface. On fabrics made from relativelystrong fibers, such as polyester in particular, the cover obtained isfrequently thin, non-uniform and "choppy," so that the fabric product isaesthetically unappealing, and there is little or no benefit to the handcharacteristics of the product.

Also, mechanical surface finishing techniques may result in a fabricsurface nap or pile which is longer than desired so that the length ofthe nap or pile must be reduced by shearing which may result in aninadequate amount of cover on the fabric product, known as a "hungry"cover. Thus, it is quite difficult, using conventional surface finishingtechniques, to provide consistently good quality, uniform products withlittle or no defects. Furthermore, some fabrics, especially for instancevery lightweight fabrics, cannot be face finished at all usingconventional techniques.

Accordingly, the process of the present invention has been developed toprovide a more uniform surface finish to fabrics than conventionalmethods, even on fabrics with tight warp ends; streaking has beenminimized or prevented entirely. The process can be easily controlledand finish characteristics can be adjusted predictably by varyingoperating parameters. The surface finish obtained, depending onoperating conditions and the fabric substrate, may have few brokenfibers although it may be characterized as having a very soft touch, or,if desired, may have a dense but very short cover. Depending uponsubstrate characteristics and operating parameters selected, the surfacehand of the treated fabric may be suede-like, cotton-like or it may evenhave the desirable feel characteristics of wool. These different resultsare not solely dependent on substrate type and may frequently beachieved even on the same fabric substrate type when desired by varyingoperating parameters. The fabric itself may be caused to develop moredrape, or, if desired, processing parameters may be adjusted so as tochange primarily only the fabric finish, e.g., surface feel, with littleor no effect on the fabric drape and crispness. Thus, it has beenobserved that appearance and hand characteristics of fabrics treatedaccording to the process of the present invention differ significantlyand desirably from the fabric appearance and feel obtainable byconventional methods.

It has also been observed that fabrics that generally cannot be surfacefinished mechanically at all by conventional methods may be convenientlyand easily processed by the present process. For instance, certainlightweight fabrics, such as some jersey knit fabrics, cannot be sandedor, at least, cannot be conventionally sanded conveniently since theytend to "neck down" considerably under the tension required for ordinarysanding and they may, in addition, tend to wrap around the sanding roll.The process of the present invention, however, permits better control ofsurface finishing conditions and it has been found that even verylightweight jersey knits may be surface finished. Also, a common fabricdeficiency is "tight selvedges." This deficiency makes conventionalsanding nearly impossible, but according to the process of the presentinvention such fabrics may be easily finished and there is little or noadverse effect resulting from the "tight selvedges." It has been foundthat even embossed fabrics may be mechanically surface finished by thepresent process providing a product having improved hand and appearancein both the embossed and non-embossed areas, and the undesirable"glossy" or "plastic" look in the embossed areas is reduced.

Synthetic filament fabrics, such as polyester filament fabrics,processed according to the present invention may acquire many of thedesired hand and appearance characteristics of spun fabrics andfrequently also may acquire a desirable surface feel normally associatedwith fabrics made from finer denier fibers. Fabrics processed accordingto the present invention, furthermore, may possess enhanced adhesioncharacteristics, that is, they can be caused to adhere better thanuntreated materials to another material, such as for instancepolyurethane sheet material, using a suitable adhesive.

Accordingly, the present invention relates to a process for mechanicallysurface finishing a textile fabric, which comprises continuously feedingsaid fabric from a source of supply such that said fabric lies in asingle plane, subjecting successive adjacent sections of the fabric tointermittent mechanical impact with an abrasive means across the widthof said fabric thereby avoiding substantial sustained contact betweensaid fabric and said abrasive means, said mechanical impact being at aforce and frequency sufficient to cause a substantially uniformmodification of the surface characteristics of said fabric.

The present invention also relates to a textile material which may bemade according to the process of the invention having a body portioncontaining a plurality of fibers, of which at least 20 percent byweight, and preferably at least 45 percent by weight, are syntheticfibers, e.g., thermoplastic synthetic fibers such as polyester or nylonfibers. The remaining portion of the textile material, if it is nottotally synthetic, may be made up of natural fibers and may even includesome nonfibrous materials. The fibers in the textile material have acurvature and are arranged so as to have convex side portions andconcave side portions. Those convex side portions of the fibers of thematerial which are exposed, e.g., those that are at or near the surfaceof the material and not covered by other fibers, are substantiallyscarred and they contain a multiplicity of generally short, rather thicklamella-shaped protrusions extending therefrom. While the actual lengthand number of these protrusions may vary considerably according to theinvention depending upon the type of material treated and the severityof treatment, on the average it has been determined that the length ofsuch protrusions will in general be quite short, e.g., less than about0.05 mm., preferably less than about 0.03 mm. from the base of theprotrusions where they are joined to the main body portion of the fiberto the tip of the protrusions. As mentioned, it has also been observedthat the extent of modification of these exposed convex side portions ofthe textile material may vary depending upon the fabric substratecomposition. It is quite apparent, however, that the modification ofsuch characteristics is significant and quite unique as applied to abroad range of fabrics and may be easily identified by comparison of thefabric substrate after modification to an untreated control sample oreven to a sample of the same composition and structure which has beensurface finished using conventional techniques, and thus will be veryclearly shown in the examples below.

The shape of the protrusions has been described in general as beinglamella-shaped. This characterization is not meant to imply thatindividual protrusions have a precisely identifiable and reproducibleshape. Rather, the term "lamella" is used in its conventional sense torefer to a thin, flat scale or part (see Webster's Seventh NewCollegiate Dictionary, 1965 ed.). Individual protrusions, furthermore,may be of a rather irregular shape, some even being rather long bycomparison to their cross-sectional dimension. Nonetheless, on theaverage, the protrusions are rather short and are rather flat incross-sectional dimension rather than being of a generally circularcross-sectional dimension which might characterize a true "fibril."

It has also been observed particularly with regard to the preferredproducts of the present invention that frequently the cross-sectionaldimension of the fibers on or near the surface of the textile materialthemselves may be distorted as a result of the mechanical surfacetreatment of the present invention while the dimension of the fibers notat the surface may remain undisturbed. This has been observed in certaininstances, such as where the fabric sample is a thin, hard fabric, as a"smearing" of the synthetic fibers which are thermoplastic in nature.This smearing may be a result of thermoplastic deformation althoughapplicant is not certain of the mechanism by means of which such"smearing" occurs and is not to be bound thereby. Furthermore,individual synthetic fibers at or near the surface of the textilematerial may actually be flattened somewhat as a result of themechanical surface finishing. For example, if the cross-sectionaldimension of the individual fibers is substantially circular prior tomechanical surface treatment, it may be observed that after mechanicalsurface finishing the cross-sectional dimension becomes somewhat ovoid.If the cross-sectional dimension is multi-lobal on the other hand, theremay be a substantial deformation of this configuration with regard tofibers at or near the surface. This observed smearing effect and thedistortion of the cross-sectional dimension of the individual fibers ator near the surface of the textile material may contribute to thebeneficial surface characteristics of the textile material product ofthe invention.

FIG. 1 is a preferred apparatus of the invention designed to carry outthe process of the present invention, and the apparatus of the inventionmay be fully understood by reference to the detailed description of theapparatus.

FIGS. 2 through 5 are schematic views of alternative embodiments of thepresent invention, showing various means of obtaining intermittentmechanical impact between a sanding means and the fabric being finished.

FIGS. 6 through 52 are electron scanning photomicrographs taken at avariety of magnifications of fabric samples and other substrates whichhave been subjected to the mechanical surface finishing process of thepresent invention. A detailed description of the textile fabric or othersubstrate and conditions of treatment is provided in the exampleshereinbelow.

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1, the fabric 10to be treated is unrolled from a fabric supply roll 1 under controlledtension and led to guide rolls 2 and 3. Guide rolls 2 and 3 may eitherbe fixed or idling rolls, and they function to position the direction ofthe fabric so that its continued path will be in approximately thevertical direction while it maintains contact over substantially itsentire width with the lower guide plate 4a. The path of the fabriccontinues over the upper guide plate 4b of the guide plate set andpasses between fabric stabilizing rods 5a and 5b over fabric guide plateset 6a and 6b and to guide rolls 7 and 8 which function to change thedirection of the fabric, which then moves to fabric take-up roll 9 ontowhich it is wound.

Guide plate sets 4a and 4b and 6a and 6b may be adjusted in both thehorizontal and vertical directions. The construction of guide plate sets4a, 4b, 6a and 6b may vary widely and may consist of plates asillustrated or actual channels. Between guide plates 4a and 4b and 6aand 6b, the fabric passes between abrasive rolls 11 and 11a andcorresponding flap rolls 12 and 12a. The abrasive rolls are covered witha suitable abrasive material such as sandpaper, the grit size of whichmay vary depending upon the desired effect as described more fullybelow. Guideplates 4a and 4b and 6a and 6b are adjusted to position thefabric accurately so that it will pass near to but not touch sandingrolls 11 and 11a unless it is impacted onto the sanding rolls by actionof flap rolls 12 and 12a as described more fully below. Attached bysuitable means to rolls 12 and 12a are flaps illustrated in FIG. 1 as13a, 13b, 13c and 13d on roll 12 and flaps 13e, 13f, 13g and 13h on roll12a. The flaps may be installed as illustrated by simply bolting themonto the flap roll so that when the rolls are at rest the plane of theflaps is essentially tangential to the rolls. In this embodiment, whenthe flap rolls are rapidly rotated, the centrifugal force will extendthem substantially radially from the roll. The flaps may also beinstalled so that they extend radially from the flap roll even while theroll is at rest, i.e., in the absence of centrifugal forces. The flapsmay be made of a wide variety of suitable reinforced or non-reinforcedmaterials such as neoprene rubber, urethane, polyvinyl chloride, nylon,or even steel and other sheet materials and even composites thereof ofsufficient durability and flexibility to accomplish the desired result.The flap rolls may be driven by motor 14 via drive shaft 24, pulleys 15and 15a and 17 and 17a, belts 16 and 16a and shafts 18 and 18a. Sandingrolls 11 and 11a may be driven by motor 19 via drive shaft 25, pulleys20 and 20a and 22 and 22a, belts 21 and 21a via shafts 23 and 23a.

When in operation, sanding rolls 11 and 11a rotate as do flap rolls 12and 12a. The distance between flap rolls 12 and 12a and sanding rolls 11and 11a, respectively, is adjusted so that in the absence of fabric 10the flaps would impinge upon sanding rolls 11 and 11a to a predetermineddepth of the flaps. When the machine is operating and threaded up withfabric 10, flaps 13a-h will be extended substantially radially bycentrifugal force from the rapidly rotating rolls 12 and 12a,respectively, and will intermittently impact the fabric withconsiderable force onto the sanding rolls 11 and 11a.

Depending upon the desired effect, the sanding rolls 11 and 11a and theflap rolls 12 and 12a may independently be rotated either clockwise orcounterclockwise. Speed of rotation of both the sanding rolls and flaprolls may also vary widely depending upon the desired effects asdescribed below.

FIG. 2 provides a more detailed representation of a treatment stationwhich comprises the sanding roll 11 and flap roll 12 with flaps 13a,13b, 13c and 13d and fabric guideplates 4a and 4b. In this schematicdrawing, the fabric 10 is shown while being impacted by flap 13c ontothe abrasive cover of the sanding roll 11. It should be noted that whileFIG. 1 illustrates only two treatment stations, both of which are of thesame type as that illustrated in FIG. 2, the actual apparatus mayinclude only one station or alternatively two or more stations, e.g.,three, four or even more stations may be provided on the apparatus fortreatment of one or both sides of the fabric. The treatment stations,furthermore, need not necessarily be all of the same type as illustratedin FIG. 1 but rather may include stations of different types, e.g.,those illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 discussed below, as well, even on thesame apparatus.

As mentioned, FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 illustrate alternative treatment stationsprovided with means by which the fabric may be caused to impact onto arapidly moving abrasive means, although it should be appreciated thatthere may be others within the scope of the present invention. In FIG.3, the fabric 10 is caused to impact onto the abrasive covered roll 11by means of a rapidly rotating non-circular bar, for instance, asillustrated a square bar 30 which will alternately allow the fabric toclear the sanding roll and to impact it upon the roll. In thisembodiment, the roll 11 may be covered with a compressible foam which isplaced on the roll between its outer periphery and the abrasive means sothat the impact of the fabric 10 upon the abrasive means is softened andjamming of the fabric between the abrasive means and the impacting meansis prevented. Alternatively, the non-circular bar 30 may be covered witha compressible foam for the same purpose. Also, it is particularlyadvantageous in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 3that the impacting means 30 be disposed either above or below the pointof closest proximity between the abrasive means 11 and the impactingmeans. Such disposition of the impacting means may also be advantageousin the alternative embodiment illustrated, for instance, in FIGS. 2, 4and 5 as well as in other embodiments where the impacting means may be,for instance, an oscillating bar or even a rotating eccentric roll, andthe like.

FIG. 4 illustrates a further embodiment where an intermittent airstream40 is emitted from a nozzle 42 to cause the fabric 10 to be impactedintermittently upon the surface of the sanding roll 11.

FIG. 5 illustrates yet another embodiment of the apparatus of thepresent invention. In this embodiment, the fabric 10 is moved over idlerroll 50 changing its direction and then over spacing rolls 51, 52, 53,54 and 55. Then the fabric is caused to move over idler roll 56 to againchange the fabric direction. The spacing rolls are designed to preventcontact between the fabric 10 and the sanding surface unless impactedupon it by the flaps as illustrated. Thus, during operation, flap rolls62, 63, 64 and 65 impact the fabric 10 onto the abrasive-covered surfaceof 11b with flaps 66a through 66d, 67a through 67d, 68a through 68d and69a through 69d.

A wide variety of fabrics may benefit from being processed according tothe present invention. Examples of such fabrics include woven, knit,non-woven fabrics, as well as coated fabrics and the like. Even certainfilms may benefit from treatment according to the present invention andfilms made from polymers, paper, and even natural products in sheet formsuch as leather may be processed according to the present invention.Examples of knit fabrics include double knits, jerseys, tricots, warpknit fabrics, weft insertion fabrics, etc. Woven fabrics may be plainweaves, twills or other well-known constructions. Such fabrics may beconstructed from spun or filament yarns or may be constructed by usingboth types of yarns in the same fabric. Fabrics made from natural fiberssuch as wool, silk, cotton, linen may also be treated, although thepreferred fabrics are those made from synthetic fibers such as polyesterfibers, nylon fibers, acrylic fibers, cellulosic fibers, acetate fibers,their mixtures with natural fibers and the like. Particularlysignificant improvement in the surface characteristics of fabrics hasbeen observed on fabrics containing polyester fibers.

As noted above, fabrics processed according to the present inventiongenerally may be characterized as having a more uniform surface finishthan fabrics processed according to conventional methods. The processmay be used to provide a finish on the fabric surface which may beapparent to the naked eye, or a finish may be achieved which may not beapparent to the naked eye but which is quite apparent to the touch. Thefabric may assume a generally softer hand and the fabric bending modulusmay be reduced.

Fabric such as knit texturized polyester filament fabrics may be causedto shrink upon being processed according to the present invention in thewidth direction resulting in a higher fabric weight. Furthermore, evenif the fabric is stretched again to its original width and approximatelyits original weight per unit area, the fabric may generally becharacterized as having a fuller, bulkier hand. Polyester filamentfabrics may lose their undesirable "plastic-like" feel and the hand ofsuch fabrics will become more similar to fabrics made from naturalfibers such as wool or cotton. Products such as polyester double knitfabrics may, in certain instances, be characterized as having a density,uniformity and shortness of cover which cannot be obtained practicallyby means of conventional sanding or napping techniques.

The process of the present invention permits finishing of fabrics whichare generally too stretchy or too light in weight to be finished byconventional sanding techniques. Conventional methods rely frequently ontension to bring the fabric into contact with the sanding means. Wherecontact is accomplished by compressing the fabric between a backing andthe sanding surface, tension is required to keep the fabric from beinggrabbed by the sanding roll and wrapped around it. Due to theintermittent nature of the contact with the sanding roll and due to theproper use of fabric guiding plates a considerably lower amount oftension is sufficient according to the process of the present inventionso that it is possible to finish very lightweight fabrics such aslightweight jersey knits. These lightweight jerseys in conventionalfinishing techniques pose very serious problems because they elongatevery easily and neck down under tension, and their selvedges have atendency to roll under tension. Also, in conventional sanding techniquesit is almost impossible to control the degree and uniformity oftreatment of lightweight woven fabrics while both results are possibleaccording to the process of the present invention.

It has been found that particularly good results may be achievedaccording to the process of the present invention by application of theprocess to a double knit such as that constructed from texturizedpolyester filament yarns, e.g., from 150/34 denier yarns. Ordinarily, inorder to obtain an appealing, soft, spun-like, uniform surface finish byconventional sanding, fabrics of this type must be constructed from moreexpensive yarns, for example 150/50 denier or even 150/68 denier yarns.Fabrics constructed from 150/34 denier yarns, however, generally providea choppy, coarse-feeling, non-uniform surface finish when sandedconventionally. It has been found, however, surprisingly that fabricsmade from such 150/34 denier texturized polyester yarns may be subjectedto the process of the present invention to obtain a spun-type finish onthe fabric that is approximately equivalent in hand and appearance tothe finish obtained by conventional sanding of more expensive fabricsconstructed from, for instance, 150/50 denier texturized polyesterfilament yarns. Because a heavier fabric generally must be constructedfrom, for instance, 150/50 denier filament yarn in order to maintainfabric crispness, the ability to use a fabric constructed from 150/34filament texturized polyester yarns yielding an equivalent finish alsopermits the use of a lesser weight fabric.

The process of the present invention is not limited, however, to textilematerials per se and, for instance, application of the process to clearfilms may result in a matte-type finish providing a translucent film.Application of the process to paper of sufficient strength to undergotreatment may result in a softening of the surface of the paper.

According to the process of the present invention, successive adjacentsections of the fabric are intermittently impacted upon an abrasivemeans across the entire width of the fabric. The fabric is ordinarilyextended to its open width and may be moved in the warp or longitudinaldirection. Sustained substantial contact between the fabric and theabrasive means is avoided, the mechanical impact being of a force andfrequency sufficient to cause a substantially uniform modification ofthe surface characteristics of the fabric. As will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art, the extent of modification of the surfacecharacteristics, the specific effects obtained, and the rate at whichthese effects may be obtained will depend upon the operating conditionsof the machine used in the process and the nature of the fabric beingtreated. Operating parameters of the apparatus used in the process,e.g., force and frequency of impact, grit size of abrasive means andother variables, may be adjusted over a broad range. For instance, thelinear speed of the fabric relative to the sanding means may vary fromabout 1 yard to about 200 yards per minute and will preferably bebetween about 5 and about 100 yards per minute, depending upon thenumber of treatment stations available, the type of fabric and intensityand character of the treatment desired.

The abrasive means employed in the process and in the apparatus of thepresent invention may include any of a wide variety of abrasivemechanisms which function to provide the desired results in the productmaterial. Typically, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the abrasive means may bea drum which has been covered with sandpaper or sanding cloth. It hasbeen found that using such abrasive means as a drum covered with sandingpaper or sanding cloth according to the teachings of the presentinvention will provide an apparatus and method whereby many resultsobtainable by other sanding methods and obtainable by napping as well asresults not obtainable by either napping or conventional sandingtechniques may be achieved.

It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited todrums covered by sandpaper or sanding cloth as the abrasive means, butmay include other suitable abrasive means. One particular embodimentwhich has been envisioned is particularly suitable where all resultsobtainable by napping may be achieved. According to such embodiment thedrum instead of being covered by sandpaper or sanding cloth is coveredwith uniformly spaced napping wires. Thus, the surface of the materialto be treated would be impacted by the impacting means in a similarfashion as illustrated in the figure onto a drum covered with suchnapping wires. Typically the wires will be rather fine, flexible orflexibly embedded napping wires.

It may also be advantageous to embed the napping wire in a supportsubstrate so that the wire tips protrude very little or barely from thesupport substrate. The substrate may be of controlled compressibilitysuch as foam rubber, soft rubber, felt and the like. In this manner thecompressible embedding medium will be compressed during impact. This inturn will determine the extent to which the wire tips will protrude fromthe surface of the embedding medium which will determine how far thenapping wire tips can penetrate into the fabric surface. By means ofsuch technique, the character and intensity of the effect achieved maybe more precisely controlled. Also, the substrate may assist inreleasing the fabric after impact from the napping wires and so help toprevent or minimize the tendency of the fabric to wrap around thenapping roll.

Where the abrasive means is a sanding paper, the grit of the sandingpaper may vary widely, with grit sizes of about 16 to about 600,preferably between about 80 and about 400, e.g., about 180 to about 320being appropriate. On machines with multiple treatment stations,different size grits may be employed for the different sanding rolls indifferent sequences to accomplish specific effects. For example, it hasbeen found desirable to pretreat the fabric at a first sanding stationwith a fairly coarse grit in order to make the fabric surface moreeasily alterable by the subsequent finer grits at subsequent treatmentstations.

The use of finer grit sanding paper will be particularly recommended forlighweight fabrics made from fine denier fibers or filaments, and willalso be recommended for other fabrics, if a particularly subtle and finefinish is desired and when it is desired that the effects of thetreatment be confined primarily to the fabric surface. The relativeintensity of the treatment accomplished by means of the presentinvention is dependent not only upon the grit of the abrasive means butalso on the force of the impact of the fabric on the abrasive means.This is in turn a function of the radius of the flap roll, flap length,bending modulus of the flaps, specific gravity or density of the flapsand the extent to which the flap front edge does not clear the surfaceof the opposing sanding roll and speed or rotation of the flap roll.

In general, it has been observed that a significant effect may beobtained according to the process of the present invention with a finergrit sandpaper than that used in standard sanding because the cuttingedges of the grit are impacted upon the fibers of the fabric withconsiderable force causing most if not all of the sanding grains to cutinto or abrade the surface of the textile material. Since a significanteffect is obtained with a finer grit and since simultaneously morecutting grains of a finer grit are located on the surface of thesandpaper per unit area, it is thought that the number of fibersaffected per unit surface area is consequently significantly greaterthan, and perhaps several times, that obtained with the coarser gritmaterial in a normal sanding operation so that the finish which resultsis more uniform, fine and dense. Thus, frequently fabrics treatedaccording to the process of the present invention may not requireshearing since the individual fiber ends which are formed are generallyvery short and uniform in length which also distinguishes the productsof the present invention from those of conventional sanding techniques.

The surface speed of the sanding means relative to the fabric may varywidely and may be between about 10 feet per minute and about 8,000 feetper minute, preferably between about 500 feet per minute and 2,500 feetper minute. As discussed above in connection with the apparatus, thesanding roll may be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise and thedirection of rotation of the flap rolls may either correspond to that ofthe sanding roll or may be opposite thereto. For instance, where thesanding roll and the flap rolls are both rotated in a clockwisedirection, very lightweight, stretchy fabric may have less tendency tobe grabbed by the sanding roll and to wrap around it.

The force at which the fabric is caused to impact upon the abrasivemeans is a function of the speed of rotation of the flap roll, thelength and stiffness of the flaps, the diameter of the flap roll, aswell as the density of the flap material, and other variables, butgenerally the flap roll will rotate at speeds from about 100 to about8,000 rpm's, preferably from about 500 to about 6,000, e.g., about 1,000to about 4,000 rpm's.

Fabrics which have been processed pursuant to the present invention maybe subjected to various subsequent treatment operations. It has beenfound, for instance, that a particularly appropriate post treatment forthe products of the present invention may be brushing. Thus, fabrics maybe mechanically surface finished according to the invention usingcomparatively mild treatment conditions, e.g., a relatively fine gritsandpaper as the abrasive means, or a relatively low impact force of thefabric onto the abrasive means, or a comparatively lower frequency ofimpact so that the strength of the fabric is reduced less than it mightotherwise be. Then by brushing the fabric vigorously using, for example,nylon or metal brushes, such as brass or steel brushes, modification ofthe surface characteristics of the fabric may be desirably enhanced.

I have illustrated and described what I consider to be the preferredembodiments of my invention. It will be apparent, however, that variousmodifications may be resorted to without departing from the broaderscope of the invention as defined by the claims.

EXAMPLE 1

A doubleknit fabric was prepared from 1/150/50 Monsanto type 446 100percent texturized polyester filament yarn. The fabric was scoured,jet-dyed to a light blue color, slit and then heat set to provide acontrol sample. The finished weight was between 133/4 and 141/4 ouncesper yard, with a width of between 60 and 62 inches. The Mullen BurstStrength [ASTM No. D-231 (1975)] was 275 lbs. FIGS. 6 and 7 are scanningelectron photomicrographs (SEPM) taken of the fabric at 100X and 350X,respectively.

A separate sample of the above yarn was knitted and the resultingdoubleknit was then processed by scouring, jet-dyeing to a light bluecolor and slitting. After slitting, but prior to heat setting the fabricwas mechanically surface treated according to the process of the presentinvention to provide a product of the present invention. SEPMs of thesample are provided in FIGS. 8 and 9 at 100X and 350X. The processingparameters are set forth below in the Table. After treatment, the MullenBurst value was 235 lbs.

Another sample of the above fabric was treated in substantially the samemanner as set forth above for the sample according to the invention,although it was colored navy blue and instead of mechanically surfacefinishing prior to heat setting according to the present invention itwas Gessner sanded. The Mullen Burst value for the Gessner-sandedproduct after treatment was 230 lbs. SEPMs of the Gessner-sanded productare set forth below in FIGS. 10 and 11 at 100X and 350X.

Observation of the fabric treated according to the present inventionrevealed that it had a very luxurious, warm and soft surface hand and avery short, dense cover. The cover was readily apparent to the naked eyealthough because of its relative shortness it permitted the constructionof the fabric to be fully visible. The control fabric, that is thefabric that has had no mechanical surface finishing, by contrast had aclear surface, no cover, and had the typical hard, "plastic", somewhatslick appearance and hand of texturized polyester doubleknits. Theappearance and hand of the sample treated according to the presentinvention was comparable to that of a fabric prepared from fine woolyarns. The sample which was conventionally surface finished by means ofa Gessner sander did not approach the desirable characteristics of thesample treated according to the present invention, especially withregard to softness of hand, density of cover, and similarity to a fabricmade of fine wool yarns. Reference to the SEPM of the control sample,the sample treated according to the present invention, and theconventionally sanded sample at magnifications of 100X and 350X showsthat the fibers of the fabric of the present invention are broken tosome extent but are predominately extensively modified by the formationof lamella shaped protrusions on the fiber surfaces and by the formationof scar type surface modifications on the fiber surfaces. TheGessner-sanded samples by contrast show a substantial number of cut andbroken fibers with only very minor modification of the surfacecharacteristics of the individual fibers.

EXAMPLE 2

Example 1 was repeated using a 1/150/34 100 percent texturized polyesterfilament yarn. A control (untreated) sample, Gessner-sanded sample and asample treated according to the invention were prepared. In thisexample, the Gessner-sanded sample exhibited no significant differencefrom the untreated control sample, and the product in fact did not havea commercially acceptable finish due to the relatively coarse nature ofthe 150/34 texturized polyester yarns from which it was made. This samefabric which was treated according to the present invention, however,had a significantly improved surface feel and a warm, pleasant wool-likehand as compared to the control sample. In fact, the sample comparesvery favorably to the Gessner-sanded version made according to Example 1from the more expensive 150/50 texturized polyester filament yarns. TheMullen Burst value for the untreated control was 285 lbs. as compared to220 lbs. after Gessner-sanding and 240 lbs. after surface finishingaccording to the present invention. Thus, while the surface modificationis significant according to the process of the present invention, lessstrength loss is observed compared to Gessner-sanding.

EXAMPLE 3

The fabric used in this Example was a yarn-dyed, polyester doubleknit.The yarn used was a 1/150/34 texturized 100 percent polyester filamentyarn. The control sample was prepared by sponging, slitting anddrycleaning the knitted fabric. The finished weight was 12.4 ounces peryard, with a width of 64 inches, and a Mullen Burst strength of 215 lbs.The sample of the present invention was then processed as set forth inthe Table. The Mullen Burst value was 120 lbs. After surface finishing,the fabric was heat set, sheared, heat set again and decated. Thefinished weight was 11.6 ounces per yard, with a width of 60 inches.

A sample of the same cloth was then processed in the same manner asdescribed above except that instead of mechanical surface treatingaccording to the present invention, the fabric was napped after thefirst heat setting operation, and then sheared, heat set again anddecated. The finished weight was 11.70 ounces per yard with a width of591/4 inches.

The fabric treated according to the process of the invention had a verysoft, cotton-like surface hand as compared to the typical hard, slick,"plastic" and unappealing hand of the untreated control sample. Becauseof the relative shortness of the cover on the fabric treated accordingto the invention, the clarity of the pattern of the fabric was notobscured to any measurable extent except for a very minor reduction ofcolor contrast. The fabric construction, however, was still discernable.The napped fabric made from the same control fabric had a much harsher,drier somewhat wool-like hand. Both the color pattern on the surface andthe construction features of the fabric were extensively obscured bynapping. FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 are SEPMs at 35X, 100X and 350X of thecontrol sample. FIGS. 15, 16 and 17 are SEPMs at 35X, 100X and 350X ofthe doubleknit yarn, dyed product which has been treated according tothe process of the present invention. FIGS. 18, 19 and 20 show SEPMs at35X, 100X and 350X respectively of the naped samples. Comparison of theSEPMs reveals that the fibers at or near the surface of the sample whichhas been treated according to the process of the invention arerelatively severely modified with the formation of lamella-typeprotrusions and scars as well as by a very small amount of cut fibers.The napped samples by contrast show very little or no actual fibersurface modification although there are a substantial number of cutfibers. Visual observation reveals that the napped sample has a randomlayer of disoriented fibers established on the surface forming asubstantially flat cover on the fabric. The yarn structure has beensubstantially disturbed, and the original construction is largelyobscurbed. On the sample treated according to the process of the presentinvention, by contrast, the original yarn structure is substantiallyintact and very few randomly oriented fibers are observed on the surfaceof the fabric.

EXAMPLE 4

The characteristics of 100 percent acrylic doubleknit were comparedbefore surface finishing according to the present invention and aftersuch finishing. The processing conditions for the mechanical surfacefinishing according to the invention are set forth in the Table.

It was found that the sample which was treated according to theinvention had a more natural, wool-like feel and a soft surface hand,while the control sample by comparison had a somewhat plastic-like handtypical of synthetic fabrics, although the plastic-like appearance wassomewhat less apparent than would be the case for fabrics made frompolyester fibers. Examination of the SEPMs of the fabric according tothe present invention shown in FIGS. 21 and 22 at 100X and 350X,respectively, show the formation again of lamella-type protrusions onthe fiber surface as well as scarring of the fiber surface. Comparisonto the control samples shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 again at 100X and 350Xshow no similar characteristics.

EXAMPLE 5

The characteristics obtainable by the process of the invention appliedto 100 percent polyester woven fabrics made from a filament warp yarnand a spun filling yarn were compared. The starting fabric was wovenfrom a 2/150/34 Danbury-242T Dacron polyester filament warp yarn (lotnumber 841). The filling yarn was a spun 12/1 T-350 Trevira polyesteryarn.

The control sample was prepared by Mezzera treatment, jet-dyeing with anavy blue dye, and finished by heat setting, shearing, and decating. Thefinished width was 59.4 inches (inside selvedges) with a weight of 11.5ounces per yard. The strength as measured by the Scott Grab Tensile test(ASTM number D-1682, (1975) was 263 lbs. for the warp and 156 lbs. forthe fill.

The above processing sequence for the control sample was modified bysurface treatment according to the present invention prior to Mezzeratreatment with the remaining steps in the process being identical tothose set forth above for the control sample. The finished weight andwidth were the same as for the control sample. The mechanical surfacetreatment conditions are set forth in the Table below. After treatment,the Scott Grab Tensile (SGT) value was for the warp 205 lbs. and for thefill 47 lbs.

The above procedure was repeated except that the mechanical surfacetreatment according to the invention was performed after Mezzeratreatment and prior to jet-dyeing with the other processing steps beingin the same order. The finished weight and width were the same. SGTstrength for the warp was 246 lbs. and for the fill was 75 lbs.

The above process was repeated again except that the mechanical surfacetreatment according to the invention was performed after jet-dyeing andprior to heat setting with the other processing steps remaining thesame. The finished weight and fabric width were again the same.

The latter procedure was followed again except that instead ofmechanical surface treatment according to the present invention prior toheat setting and after dyeing, the fabric sample was Gessner sanded atthis stage in the process. The finished weight and width were the same.The SGT value was 259 lbs. for the warp and 93 lbs. for the fill.

The above procedure was repeated again except that napping was performedon the fabric after jet-dyeing but prior to heat setting. The finishedweight and width of the fabric were the same. The SGT value was 264 lbs.for the warp and 147 lbs. for the fill.

Examination of the samples which were processed according to theinvention before dyeing revealed that a wool-like hand was achieved.Mechanical surface treatment according to the invention after dyeing ofthe fabric resulted in a fabric having a cotton-like hand.

Thus, it can be seen that appropriate variation of the processing stepscan be used to achieve two distinctly different products from the samestarting material.

Depending upon the processing sequence, the samples treated according tothe invention generally had a very attractive, soft and pleasant wool orcotton-like hand, while the fabric which did not have any surfacetreatment had the customary hard, harsh feel of polyester fabric.Sanding by conventional means, namely with a Gessner sander, resulted inonly minor modification of the hand of the control sample, although theresult did not approach either the softness or luxuriousness of thesurface feel obtained by the present invention. The sample which wasnapped resulted in a relatively soft surface hand as compared toconventional sanding, but it did not produce either a pleasant or a softsurface finish as was achieved according to the present invention,especially where the surface treatment was performed prior to dyeing.Also, it was noteworthy that napping resulted in a considerably lessuniform and longer cover with a great deal of "wild hair" protrudingfrom the fabric surface. Even after shearing the finish obtained by thepresent invention was both more uniform and more attractive than thefinish obtained according to the conventional techniques.

FIGS. 25 and 26 are SEPMs of the control samples at 100X and 350X,respectively. FIGS. 27 and 28 are the Gessner-sanded samples at 100X and350X, and FIGS. 29 and 30 are the samples which were napped, againdepicted at 100X and 350X. FIGS. 31 and 32 are the samples which werefinished according to the present invention by mechanical surfacetreatment after dyeing but prior to shearing and decating. Examinationof SEPMs of the samples mechanically surface finished prior to Mezzeratreatment and those treated after Mezzera treatment but prior to dyeingappeared almost identical to FIGS. 31 and 32 and, therefore, need not beshown. As the SEPMs reveal, the fabric samples treated according to theinvention, whether prior to dyeing or after dyeing, all showedsubstantial lamella protrusions from the surface of the fabric as wellas a substantial amount of scarring. Plastic deformation of the fiberswas also evident. Conventional Gessner sanding resulted by contrast inonly a limited amount of fiber surface modification with little or nolamella formation and no plastic deformation of the fibers. Nappingresulted in even less fiber surface modification, no plastic deformationof the polymeric fibers although a significant amount of fiber cuttingis apparent.

EXAMPLE 6

A jersey knit was mechanically surface finished according to the presentinvention and compared with a non-finished control sample. The controlwas prepared from 100 percent Dacron polyester T-56 1/70/34 yarns. Thesample was processed by Mezzera treatment, jet-dyeing a light greencolor, slitting and heat setting. The finished weight was 5.75 ouncesper yard with a width of 63 inches. The Mullen Burst strength was 130lbs.

Next, the above process was modified by treatment of the fabric afterheat setting according to the invention. The process and conditions wereas set forth in the Table. The Mullen Burst strength after treatment was123 lbs.

Observation of the finished samples reveals that the sample treatedaccording to the present invention had a soft, warm, and luxurious hand;while the untreated control had a relatively slick surface hand typicalof polyester fabrics. The sample treated according to the invention maybe said to have a hand that is comparable to that of fabrics made fromspun yarns.

EXAMPLE 7

Samples of 65/35 polyester cotton blends were treated according to thepresent invention and then compared to control samples. The warp andfill yarns were both 65 percent polyester, 35 percent cotton. Thecontrol sample was prepared by singeing and mercerizing the fabric. Thefinished weight was 4.86 ounces per square yard and the finished widthwas 60.3 inches. A separate sample of the fabric was processed in thesame manner as the control sample but was subsequently finished bytreating according to the process of the invention. The treatingconditions are set forth in the Table. For comparison purposes anothersample was treated as above by singeing, mercerizing and then Gessnersanding, followed by range dyeing, finishing and Sanforizing of thecloth.

A visual comparison of the control sample with the sample treatedaccording to the present invention showed that the sample of theinvention had a substantially softer and more pleasing, cotton-likesurface hand than the control without any significant loss in fabriccrispness. By comparison, sanding of the same style fabric byconventional sanding provided very little beneficial effect on thefabric in terms of its hand, or other characteristics.

FIGS. 33 and 34 are SEPMs of the control sample at 100X and 350X. FIGS.35 and 36 are SEMPs of the sample which was processed according to theinvention, also at 100X and 350X. FIGS. 37 and 38 are SEPMs at 100X and350X of the Gessner-sanded sample. Examination of the SEPMs revealedthat the sample which was treated according to the process of theinvention has lamella-type protrusions on the fibers at or near thesurface of the fabric. There were also a few cut fibers, scarring andsignificant thermoplastic deformation of the polyester fibers. It wasalso evident that the yarns immediately at the surface of the fabricwere flattened, apparently in conjunction with thermoplastic deformationof the polyester fibers. Observation of the SEPMs of the Gessner sandedsamples revealed that the process resulted in very little modificationof the surface fibers although certain randomly oriented fibers and somecut fibers were present on the fabric surface.

EXAMPLE 8

A sample of woven 80/20 polyester cotton having a spun warp and afilament fill yarn was treated according to the process of the inventionand compared with a control sample. The warp yarn was a 65 percentpolyester, 35 percent cotton yarn. The fill yarn was a texturized 100percent polyester filament yarn.

The control sample was prepared by the steps of heat setting, singeingand mercerizing. The finished weight was 4.94 ounces per square yard andthe finished width was 60.2 inches. SGT strength of the warp was 133lbs. and 131 lbs. for the fill.

A sample of the above fabric processed in the identical manner wasfinished by mechanical surface treatment according to the process of theinvention. The finished weight and width were both the same as for thecontrol sample. The processing conditions are set forth in the attachedTable. The resulting SGT strength was 122 lbs. for the warp and 101 lbs.for the fill.

A similar fabric having a spun warp yarn of 65 percent polyester and 35percent cotton and a fill yarn of texturized 100 percent polyesterfilament yarn was processed by heat setting, steam treating,mercerizing, and range dyeing to provide a tan fabric. The fabric wasthen conventionally Gessner sanded, finished and Sanforized. Thefinished weight was 5.35 ounces per square yard, and the finished widthwas 60.5 inches. The SGT strength for the warp was 207 lbs. and for thefill was 181 lbs. The tensile strength characteristics of the fabricprior to treatment were unavailable.

Visual comparison of the sample treated according to the presentinvention with the control sample showed that while the surfaceappearance of the fabric was not significantly changed, the surface feelof the fabric treated according to the present invention wassubstantially softened as compared to the rather hard surface feel ofthe untreated control sample. The fabric crispness of the treatedsamples as compared to the control sample was substantially retained. Bycontrast, little or no advantageous modification was observed when asimilar fabric was subjected to Gessner sanding.

FIGS. 39 and 40 are SEPMs of the control sample at 100X and 350X. FIGS.41 and 42 are SEPMs taken at 100X and 350X of a sample which has beenprepared in the same manner as the control sample and then mechanicallysurface finished according to the invention. FIGS. 43 and 44 are SEPMsof the sample which has been Gessner sanded and prepared as describedabove. Examination of the SEPMs shows that very few of the fibers arecut in the sample processed according to the present invention. Rather,the surface of the fibers has been significantly modified in theprocess. Some lamella-type protrusions are produced and scarring wasparticularly obvious. Some plastic deformation of the polyester fiberswas observed. Also, a flattening of the yarn surfaces was againobserved. With regard to the Gessner-sanded sample, except for somecutting of the fibers there was little apparent effect on the fibers ofthe fabric.

EXAMPLE 9

An 80/20 polyester/cotton blend fabric was treated according to theprocess of the invention using the processing conditions set forth inthe Table before range dyeing. After range dyeing, it was observed thatsome of the advantageous characteristics of the fabric treated accordingto the process of the invention were apparently lost. This sample,however, was subsequently brushed with either a nylon brush or a steelbrush, and it was observed that the original beneficial effects werere-established and actually significantly enhanced, without anysubstantial strength loss. In fact, it was determined that even wherethe sample was mechanically surface finished according to the inventionafter dyeing that the advantageous effect of brushing with either anylon or a steel brush resulted in a significant enhancement of thebeneficial effects of the mechanical surface treatment in terms of bothfabric surface softness, pleasantness and luxuriousness of feel, againwithout any substantial strength loss. A similar sample which was notmechanically surface finished according to the invention was simplybrushed after dyeing with a nylon brush and a separate sample wasbrushed with a steel brush under equivalent conditions and practicallyno beneficial effect on the samples was observed.

EXAMPLE 10

A 100 percent filament embossed woven polyester napery fabric wastreated according to the process of the invention, and itscharacteristics were compared to that of an untreated control sample.The sample treated according to the invention had a pleasing appearanceresembling that of genuine cotton jacquard demask fabric and even thedepressed embossed areas of the fabric were beneficially affected. Bycontrast, the untreated control sample had a glass-like sheen and aplastic appearance quite dissimilar to the subtle and fine appearance ofthe high priced jacquard woven damask fabric.

EXAMPLE 11

A control sample of woven 100 percent polyester filament warp and fillnapery fabric was prepared and its characteristics were compared to thatof a similar sample which was treated according to the process of theinvention. It was observed that in addition to the improved surface handcharacteristics, tablecloths or napkins made from the above-describedmaterial and processed according to the invention could be stackedwithout the piles of stacked fabric sliding and falling down. Theoverall appearance of the fabric was, however, changed very little andthe fabric had a completely clear face. However, the fabric in effectdid have a very advantageous cotton-like hand.

EXAMPLE 12

This Example illustrates application of the process of the invention toa 100 percent nylon nonwoven point-bonded fabric. A control sample wasprepared and a separate sample was subsequently processed according tothe invention. The processing conditions are set forth in the Table. Thenonwoven nylon fabric when treated according to the process of theinvention exhibited a dramatically softer, kinder surface hand than theslick, "glassy" starting material. A dense, somewhat longer cover wascreated giving the surface of the fabric the touch and surface feel ofmaterial made from natural fibers. Little strength loss was encountereddue to the treatment of the fabric. Comparison of the SEPMs of thesample treated according to the process of the invention shown in FIGS.45 and 46 at 100X and 350X, respectively, to the control samples asshown in FIGS. 47 and 48 at 100X and 350X, respectively, shows thatthere has been a significant generation of lamella-type protrusions onthe fiber surface, fiber surface scarring, and visual observationrevealed cut fibers.

EXAMPLE 13

A control fabric was prepared of a napped substrate fabric containing onits surface a coagulation type coating. A separate sample of the fabricwas processed according to the invention using the processing conditionsset forth in the Table.

Observation of the fabric revealed that the original control fabric hada soft but tacky surface hand while the fabric which was treatedaccording to the process of the invention had an even, softer but atotally non-tacky surface hand. The appearance of the sample treatedaccording to the invention was also somewhat smoother and more uniformthan that of the original sample. Reference to the SEPMs shown in FIG.49 at 350X shows that there had been a gross accumulation of coagulatedpolymer present on the surface of the untreated control sample. Bycontrast, the sample which has been treated according to the process ofthe invention shown in FIG. 50 at 350X reveals that while desirablesmall islands of the polymer coating are still present, grossaccumulations have been substantially removed or broken up. Furthermore,the sample treated according to the invention also exhibits the typicallamella-type protrusions and scarring of the fiber surfaces.

EXAMPLE 14

Mechanical surface treatment according to the present invention wasperformed on a polyethylene sheet material of 2 mils thickness. Theprocessing conditions are set forth in the attached table.

Observation of the sheet material which has been mechanically surfacefinished revealed that the treatment resulted in converting asubstantially transparent film material (the control sample) into atranslucent film material with a milky, non-slick surface. SEPMs shownin FIGS. 51 (the control) and 52 (the treated sample) reveal that thetreated sample exhibited scratches, striations, lammela-type protrusionsand substantial plastic deformation of the surface. Quite similareffects were observed when a nylon film was mechanically surfacefinished and compared to an untreated nylon film. Substantially the sameresults were also observed when a polyester film sample was subjected tomechanical surface treatment according to the present invention.

EXAMPLE 15

In this Example, a heavy duty paper (white, light cardboard-type) wassubjected to mechanical surface treatment according to the presentinvention. The paper had a thickness of 11 to 12 mils. Observation ofthe product after treatment revealed that mechanical surface treatmentof the paper resulted in a mat, non-slick surface as compared to theuntreated control sample.

                                      TABLE                                       __________________________________________________________________________    Fabric Processing Parameters                                                  __________________________________________________________________________           Fabric Conditions            The Abrasive Roll                         Example No.                                                                          Speed Yd./min.                                                                        Tension* lbs.                                                                        Passes Face                                                                          Passes Back                                                                          RPM'S                                                                              Speed ft./min.                                                                        Direction**                                                                          Grit                  __________________________________________________________________________                                                            Size                  1,2    5       22     3      1      1800 1414    Rev.   240                    3     5       22     5      1      1800 1414    Rev.   240                    4     5       22     1      1      1250  982    Rev.   240                    5     20      22     1      1      1800 1414    Rev.   240                    6     1.33     5     1      1      1210 1267    Fwd.   240                   7,8    10      22     1      1      1800 1414    Fwd.   240                    9     35      22     1      1      1800 1414    Rev.   240                   10     1.33    11     2      1      1210 1267    Fwd.   320                   11     5       22     1      1      1250  982    Rev.   240                   12     10      22     2      1      1800 1414    Fwd.   240                   13     5       22     2      0      1250  982    Rev.   240                   14     5       11     1      0       800  838    Fwd.   240                   __________________________________________________________________________           The Flap Roll                                                                     Flap Tip Speed                                                                              Impact        Flap Composition                                                                       Impingement****                                                                        Treatment            Example No.                                                                          RPM'S                                                                             ft./min.                                                                              Gap*** in.                                                                          frequency/min.                                                                        Direction**                                                                         width in.                                                                              in.      Stations             __________________________________________________________________________    1,2    2380                                                                              5608    1/8   19040   Fwd   Red Neoprene                                                                           1/8      2                                                           Rubber 1/16"                            3     2380                                                                              5608    1/4   19040   Fwd.  Red Neoprene                                                                           1/8      2                                                           Rubber 1/16"                            4     1710                                                                              4029    3/8    6840   Fwd.  Black Rubber                                                                           1/8      2                                                           1/16"                                   5     2380                                                                              5608    1/8   19040   Fwd.  Red Neoprene                                                                           1/4      2                                                           Rubber 1/16"                            6     1720                                                                              3152    1/8    6880   Fwd.  Black Rubber                                                                           1/8      1                                                           1/16"                                  7,8    2380                                                                              5608    1/8   19040   Rev.  Red Neoprene                                                                           1/8      1                                                           Rubber 1/16"                            9     2380                                                                              5608    1/8   19040   Fwd.  Red Neoprene                                                                           1/4      2                                                           Rubber 1/16"                           10     1720                                                                              3152    1/8    6880   Fwd.  Black Rubber                                                                           1/8      1                                                           1/16"                                  11     1710                                                                              4029    3/8    6840   Fwd.  Red Neoprene                                                                           1/8      1                                                           Rubber 1/16"                           12     2380                                                                              5608    1/8   19040   Rev.  Red Neoprene                                                                           1/4      1                                                           Rubber 1/16"                           13     1710                                                                              4029    3/8    6840   Fwd.  Black Rubber                                                                           1/8      2                                                           1/16"                                  14     1710                                                                              3134    1/8    6840   Fwd.  Red Neoprene                                                                           1/8      1                                                           Rubber 1/16"                           __________________________________________________________________________     *Total tension based on entire fabric                                         **Fwd. means that the roll is rotated in the same direction as the fabric     movement; Rev. means that the roll is rotated against the direction of        fabric movement.                                                              ***Refers to gap or distance between fabric in its normal position and th     abrasive roll when the fabric is not being                                    ****Theoretical flap penetration onto abrasive roll when fabric is not        present.                                                                 

I claim:
 1. An apparatus for mechanically achieving a substantiallyuniform modification of the hand characteristics of a textile fabrichaving fibrous components which comprises means for continuously feedingsaid fabric from a source of supply such that said fabric lies in asingle plane, at least one rotating abrasive roll; at least oneintermittent impact means for subjecting successive adjacent sections ofsaid fabric to intermittent mechanical impact with said abrasive rollacross the width of said fabric, thereby avoiding substantial sustainedcontact between said fabric and said abrasive roll; said intermittentmechanical impact means being disposed across the fabric width, parallelto the abrasive roll near the reverse side of the fabric from saidabrasive roll, thereby causing the portions of the fibrous componentsexposed to said intermittent mechanical impact with said abrasive rollto be substantially scarred and to be provided with a multiplicity ofgenerally short, rather thick, lamella shaped protrusions extendingtherefrom.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said intermittent impactmeans comprises a rotatable roll having extending from its perimeter andparallel to its axis across its width at least one strip of flexiblematerial.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said intermittent impactmeans comprises at least one rotatable non-circular bar.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein said intermittent impact means comprisesan at least one air slot emitting intermittently pressurized air againstthe reverse side of said fabric from said abrasive means.
 5. Anapparatus for mechanically achieving a substantially uniformmodification of the hand characteristics of a textile fabric havingfibrous components which comprises means for continuously feeding saidfabric from a source of supply such that said fabric lies in a singleplane, at least one rotating abrasive roll covered with napping wire; atleast one intermittent impact means for subjecting successive adjacentsections of said fabric to intermittent mechanical impact with saidabrasive roll across the width of said fabric thereby avoidingsubstantial sustained contact between said fabric and said abrasiveroll; said intermittent mechanical impact means being disposed acrossthe fabric width, parallel to the abrasive roll near the reverse side ofthe fabric from said abrasive roll, thereby causing the portions of thefibrous components exposed to said intermittent mechanical impact withsaid abrasive roll to be substantially scarred and to be provided with amultiplicity of generally short, rather thick, lamella shapedprotrusions extending therefrom.